Born Maria do Céu Whitaker Poças on 17th April 1980 in São Paulo, Brazil, h… Read Full Bio ↴Born Maria do Céu Whitaker Poças on 17th April 1980 in São Paulo, Brazil, her father was a composer, arranger, and musicologist. It was from him that she learned to appreciate Brazil's classical music composers, particularly Heitor Villa-Lobos and Ernesto Nazaré, as well as popular musicians like Orlando Silva.

By the age of fifteen she had decided to become a musician, and by her late teens she had studied music theory, as well as the violão (nylon-stringed Brazilian guitar). Her songs reveal her many influences, which include samba, valsa, choro, soul, rhythm and blues, hip hop, reggae, afrobeat, and electrojazz. In particular, she cites as influences the music of Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Lauryn Hill, and Erykah Badu.

By her late teens Céu was performing onstage with major artists and exploring the repertoire of the marchinhas (turn-of-the-century carnival music). Soon after that she relocated temporarily to New York City, where she had a chance meeting with fellow Brazilian musician Antonio Pinto, who became her flatmate while he was going through some financial difficulties. She later learned that he was actually a distant cousin, and their relationship was renewed when he teamed up with lead producer Beto Villares, composer of the musical score for the film O Ano em que Meus Pais Saíram de Férias, to help her record her album.

Ave Cruz
Céu Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

ave cruz
virge crispim
- não tem dó de mim
ave cruz
virge crispim
- não tem dó de mim

ainda não vi terço

ainda não vi quinto
das novelas de tv
o que há de ser
não há letreiro
no final pra ver
o meu banheiro
ainda não está equipado
não tenho jacuzzi
nem chuveiro a vapor
meu deus faça o favor
de retornar o recado

ave cruz
virge crispim
- não tem dó de mim
ave cruz
virge crispim
- não tem dó de mim

ainda não vi terço
ainda não vi quinto
das novelas de tv
o que há de ser

não há letreiro
no final pra ver
o meu cabelo insiste
em acordar despenteado
não tenho jacuzzi
nem chuveiro a vapor
meu deus faça o favor
de retornar o recado

ave cruz
virge crispim
- não tem dó de mim
ave cruz

virge crispim
- não tem dó de mim

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Céu's song "Ave Cruz" depict a sense of frustration and dissatisfaction with one's current circumstances. The repeated phrase "ave cruz, virge crispim" can be interpreted as a cry for help or guidance, as if pleading with a higher power to have mercy on the singer.

The first verse expresses a longing for something more, as the singer mentions not having seen a rosary or a fifth (possibly referring to the fifth episode of a TV show). This could symbolize a lack of spiritual solace or a feeling of being disconnected from popular culture. The absence of a sign at the end to indicate what will happen next emphasizes a sense of uncertainty and a yearning for clarity.

The second verse highlights the singer's physical appearance, particularly their unruly hair. This could symbolize a lack of control or dissatisfaction with their self-image. Again, the absence of luxurious amenities like a Jacuzzi or a steam shower reinforces a feeling of longing and a plea for intervention from a higher power.

Overall, the lyrics of "Ave Cruz" convey a sense of discontentment and a desire for a change or improvement in various aspects of the singer's life. The repetition of the phrase "não tem dó de mim" (which translates to "have no pity on me") further emphasizes the plea for mercy or assistance.

Line by Line Meaning

ave cruz
Hail, cross

virge crispim
Blessed Saint Crispim

- não tem dó de mim
- does not have pity on me

ainda não vi terço
I still haven't seen a third

ainda não vi quinto
I still haven't seen a fifth

das novelas de tv
of the TV soap operas

o que há de ser
what will happen

não há letreiro
there is no sign

no final pra ver
at the end to see

o meu banheiro
my bathroom

ainda não está equipado
it's still not equipped